Hubby and I have been living in the Lakes now for 20 years now. Our guest house is in Bowness-on-Windermere, a pretty Lakeland village and one of the main entry points into the Lakes as it is only 20 minutes’ drive or so from the M6 motorway, and a mile north of Windermere Train Station and Bus Depot.
But the reason we chose to live at Blenheim Lodge is due to the fact that we would have been able to benefit from the best of all worlds:
our location backing into a fell with walks within a minute’s stroll;
the quietness and tranquillity of our hilltop spot from which one can survey Windermere and the many far flung fells beyond from practically all our rooms;
and the 5-minute walking proximity to Bowness town centre with all its great amenities and attractions, not forgetting Windermere itself, with its pleasure trips on the Lake and other water-based activities. What is there not to like?
Having lived and worked in the Lakes for some time now, I have come to the realise that the Lakes can never stop giving. And so I come to the best 5 reasons for visiting the Lakes.
1. Pulchritude
It can never be an exaggeration to state that the Lake District National Park is stupendously beautiful almost beyond belief. Its undulating fells and myriad bodies of water, walks, caves, and pretty waterfalls have inspired artists and poets, writers and photographers, all of whom have tried to capture the essence of the Lakes in their creations.
2. Tranquillity
There are many places in the Lake District where one can simply tune out. For example, guests staying at our B&B can walk the 2-5 minutes into Bowness centre and engage in all its hustle and bustle. Or, these same guests can stay in our house and . . . listen – to the sound of silence. Take a walk on the fell that is on our doorstep to any of its viewpoints or meander at a pace to suit along pretty walks: peace and quiet await, so that one can relax in perfect serenity.
Alternatively, search out your own special place of quietude: absorb the calmness of your surroundings and breathe.
3. Fresh Local Produce
The Lake District is essentially a rural community, so good food is literally sourced from the ground up. Dig into breakfasts of just-cooked fresh local produce when visiting with us at Blenheim Lodge. Eat out at local restaurants where freshly prepared local meats are on the menu. Try local desserts and drinks. And don’t forget Grasmere gingerbread and Cartmel sticky toffee pudding, two iconic eats of the Lake District.
4. The National Park with the ‘Mostest’
(i) The Lake District National Park is the National Park with the largest natural lake in England, Windermere. Take a watery trip on Windermere: we offer 10% off tickets on a number of ferry rides with Windermere Lake Cruises, and can also arrange sail outings with dinner or lunch on board a luxury yacht. If you fancy doing all the hard work, try kayaking or canoeing instead.
(ii) Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England and this famous peak is situated in the Lake District. One of the Wainwrights, Scafell Pike has four different routes mapped out to its summit. One of these begins at Wasdale Head at the northern end of Wastwater.
(iii) Speaking of Wastwater, it is England’s deepest lake. A 2007 viewer survey on ITV named Wastwater as Britain’s favourite view.
(iv) Meanwhile the highest pass open to motor traffic in England is also to be found in the Lake District National Park. This is Kirkstone Pass, which has an altitude of 1489 feet. Sitting upon it is England’s third highest public house, the Kirkstone Pass Inn.
(v) I mustn’t forget, of course, to name Britain’s best drive in this section: it is the A591, described by Mark Hadley, a quantum physicist, as the UK’s best road to drive.
He said: “There are four key phases of a drive, bends, acceleration, cruising and braking.
“A great driving road strikes just the right balance between the phases so you get the exhilaration of speed and acceleration, while corners test your driving capabilities and long stretches allow you to enjoy the scenery.”
(www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/scientific-formula-chooses-britains-best-5562303)
The A591 is a 30-mile stretch of road from Kendal (the gateway to the Lakes) to Keswick. En-route, drivers and passengers alike are treated to spectacular views of lakes and fells, with many calling it the most beautiful motorway in England.
5. Herdwick sheep
When did sheep ever ‘keep and maintain’ a National Park? The Herdwick are special and they are important to the cultivation and maintenance of the Lake District landscape. I am going to quote from the Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association here:
Herdwick sheep are the native breed of the central and western Lake District and live on the highest of England’s mountains. They are extremely hardy and are managed in the traditional way on the Lake District fells that have been their home for generations.
The word “Herdwyck”, meaning sheep pasture, is recorded in documents going back to the 12th century. Herdwick sheep are the most hardy of all Britain’s breeds of hill sheep, grazing the central and western dales of the Lake District with fells running to over 3000 feet.
Herdwick farms have typically less than 100 acres of lower, more productive land and rely on the common grazings of the high Lake District fells. The lambs graze with their mothers on the “heaf” belonging to that farm instilling a life long knowledge of where on the fell they should be grazing. This is crucial as the central Lake District fells are inaccessible and a sheep which strays from Borrowdale to Eskdale will involve a 100 mile round trip by road for the farmer to collect it.
The Herdwick’s hardiness and ability to graze over a wide area of fell is key to the maintenance of the Lake District landscape as we know it.
So, here are only 5 of many more reasons to vote for the Lake District National Park with your feet. Have I mentioned the stunning waterfalls?
Come take a break with us at Blenheim Lodge and use our home as a great place to relax and convenient base to get out and about in the Lakes. Our B&B is well placed for easy access around this wonderful playground that is the Lakes, whether you decide to drive, take public transport, or prefer for us to arrange return tours from our doorstep.
Book a midweek break, a weekend break, or a longer stay to truly wind down and relax. Take it slowly or be active – it is your holiday, and the Lake District is just the best for doing nothing or everything (if you can). Perhaps take advantage of some of our Special Offers when booking direct with us. We look forward to welcoming you.
Blenheim Lodge . . . panoramic Lake views, peace and tranquillity, nestled against acres of beautiful fields and woodlands, in the heart of the English Lake District National Park.’
Visit our website: http://www.blenheim-lodge.com
Email: enquiries@blenheim-lodge.com
Telephone: 015394 43440
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